Resilient Pastures Project

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About the Project


The Resilient Pastures for A Changing Climate Project is running between 2021-2025 and aims to improve 4,000ha of farming and grazing practices. It aims to demonstrate adaptive natural resource and farm management practices which have the ability to build resilience in the agricultural landscapes within the Western NSW Murray region and beyond.
 
The project aims to improve long term drought resilience and farm sustainability by increasing the productivity of old irrigation land which has reverted to dryland. Demonstration sites will be used to evaluate novel drought-tolerant pasture systems including a biodiverse mix of regenerative pasture and forage species.

4000ha of improved farming and grazing practices over 4 years


Mix of locally proven medics, grasses and clovers encouraged

Improved soil health through increased ground cover and natural capital over time


The project involves bringing together local producers for training events and field days which will detail:

- Preparation and recovery from drought.
- The benefits of ecosystem services to a productive agricultural system.
​- Productivity, soil health indicators and profitability of the demonstration sites.
- Localised and knowledgeable agronomist providing tailored advice to land holders.

Through the project, a decision support tool will be designed for implementation by local land holders, to assist with pasture species selection based on a number of localised factors. 


Resilient pasture systems have additional benefits to just offering drought resilience. They also improve soil moisture availability, reduce erosion, provide ground cover, increase soil carbon levels and reduce soil compaction.

Farmer benefits/commitments:

1 Soil test

1 on 1 assessments agronomy consult

Access to future training and events

Decision support tool

Knowledge-sharing with peers

Ongoing project support from WMLIG

 

 1 Our expectations of participants:

Current NSW land holder with a farming operation <40Ha withing a three hour radius of Barham NSW

 2 Complete any relevant project surveys

 3 Dedicate time to implementation

 4 Attend field days and training events

 5 Proactive positive attitude and willingness to learn

 6 Access to a suitable block of land for improvement, with the intent of ongoing farming

 7 Access to data collected from improved paddocks (e.g. yields and soil tests) and area of operation.

​For more information on this project, please contact Tahlia by email at tahlia.stewart@wmlig.org


Project History


This project builds on a previous project, Economically Viable Options for Retired Irrigation Land (EVORIL) which took place over five years from 2013-2018.
EVORIL was initiated as a result of declining availability of irrigation water in the south-west Riverina region of NSW. The aim of the project was to investigate the economic feasibility and productivity of various pasture species sown on previously irrigated land that has reverted to dryland.
 
​EVORIL provided farmers with hands on appreciation and capacity to measure critical factors in establishing, growing and managing alternative pasture species varieties through replicated trials and demonstrations on farms. These trials assessed the suitability of grasses (including native species), legumes, saltbush and other native shrubs as part of a diverse landscape mosaic. 

A summary and results from this project can be viewed below 

read the report


Recent Projects

October 8, 2026
 On the 24th of October 2020, Western Murray Land Improvement Group along with Barham Landcare, held a fun and interactive workshop involving local Primary School children at Federation Reserve in Barham NSW. Two primary school classes from Barham Public School attended the workshop that saw Kindergarten on their very first out of school excursion. They were buddied up with Grade 3/4 and accompanied by 6 teachers and assistants from the school- making the total number of attendees 47. The workshop was facilitated by Barham Landcare volunteer and group treasurer Christine Dartnell and Local Landcare Coordinator (hosted by WMLIG) Stacey Waylen.
October 8, 2026
A summary of the day.
By Donna Marateo • October 8, 2026
A summary of the day.
October 8, 2026
On the 31st of January 2020, over 120 local farmers and agricultural experts attended a Feedlot Information Day held in Wakool. The crowd was a diverse geographical mix, with attendees from Lalbert, Piangil, Moulamein, Barham, Deniliquin and Wakool. As following with the 'young farmer' focus of the event, the majority (42%) of attendees were under 35, while 28% were 35-45 and 37% were 45+. The day began with a workshop at the Wakool Club focused on livestock feedlot considerations. Presenter Geoff Duddy from Sheep Solutions discussed the pro's and con's of feedlotting versus containment feeding, the cost of feed and comparison of different systems. He emphasized the importance of feeding sheep protein to build muscle, wool and encourage growth. The group finished off with an understanding of how feedlots interacted with the whole farm system. Following this presentation, district vet Linda Searle (Murray Local Land Services), educated attendees on the range of livestock diseases or health complications associated with feedlot production systems.
October 2, 2026
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By John Reynold Tubay • September 29, 2026
In March 2020, we organised and coordinated a tour for local producers of the Griffith, Whitton and Coleambally areas, in the north-western region of the Riverina region of New South Wales. ​ Whilst it was a challenge in COVID-regulation times, our organisers, Stacey and Amy, did a great job in selecting a line-up of some of the most impressive and inspiring businesses that have successfully innovated existing product or created new products utilising spare capacity. ​ Many of the businesses that the group visited looked at value-adding options, supply chain innovation, collaboration and diversification opportunities.
By John Reynold Tubay • September 29, 2026
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